![Jessica Cristobal congratulates her husband Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal after defeating the Gators during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes defeated the Gators 41-17. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5187,h_2917/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01k5hp13t2k6wa77tj5w.jpg "Jessica Cristobal congratulates her husband Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal after defeating the Gators during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes defeated the Gators 41-17. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal told Pat McAfee during a live appearance on his eponymous show on Friday that Florida is one of the most talented teams the Hurricanes have played during his four seasons in Coral Gables.
Florida is 12th in the 2025 247Sports Team Talent composite and Miami is 15th. Texas A&M who Miami split a home-and-home with in 2022 and 2023 was fourth in the Team Talent Composite in each of those seasons and the highest-rated team Miami has played during the Cristobal era.
Florida travels to Miami with a 1-2 record. Based solely on talent and who they played, Florida should have one win and two losses. Florida defeated Football Championship Subdivision Long Island in their season opener and lost 18-16 to South Florida and 20-10 at LSU.
LSU is seventh in the 2025 Team Talent Composite and South Florida is 61st. In their preview of Florida at Miami earlier this week, Pro Football Focus praised the production and talent on the 2025 Florida offensive line. Florida is in the top 20 nationally in run and pass blocking.
NEW: Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said Florida is 'one of the most talented teams we've seen in four years.'
— On3 (@On3sports) September 19, 2025
The Gators are facing a potential three-game losing streak this weekend.
(via @PatMcAfeeShow)https://t.co/7tYpIfgjs7 pic.twitter.com/UmyOrP6vqw
"They’re one of the most talented teams we’ve seen in four years.... They’ve got speed, size, scheme and great coaching. They’re as good as any team that we have faced. We always expect everybody’s best and we’re looking forward to an unbelievable opportunity."Miami HC Mario Cristobal on ESPN via On3
When Miami won 41-17 at Florida in 2024, the Gators had the 12th-best roster in the Team Talent Composite and the Hurricanes were 14th. Miami arguably has a more well-rounded roster in 2025. The highest-rated players on the 2025 Miami roster are on the offensive or defensive lines.
The 12 highest-rated players on the 2025 Florida roster are at the skill positions or linebacker. Quarterback D.J. Lagway, who threw five interceptions at LSU last week, is the highest-rated Gator. The 247 Team Talent composite ratings back up Cristobal, stating Florida is one of the most talented teams Miami will play in his four seasons.
Notre Dame, who is ninth in the 2025 Team Talent composite ratings, is the only team ranked higher than Florida on the 2025 Miami regular season schedule. Florida State, who hosts Miami on October 4, is 19th in the Team Talent Composite ratings and the only game against a top 20 roster for Miami in the 2025 regular season.